Selective monobenzoylation of 1,2- and 1,3-diols catalyzed by Me2SnCl2 in water (organic solvent free) under mild conditions.

We have developed an efficient method for selective monobenzoylation of 1,2- and 1,3-diols in water catalyzed by Me(2)SnCl(2). Treatment of 1,2- and 1,3-diols with benzoyl chlorides, DMT-MM, and potassium carbonate in the presence of a catalytic amount of Me(2)SnCl(2) and DMAP in water at room temperature gave monobenzoates in up to 97% yield.